Everett frames his dual role as a testament to his work ethic and humility, claiming he loves his current position and isn't trying to escape the grind.
Insiders are buzzing about the bizarre dynamic: a signed UFC fighter still running personal errands for the CEO creates an awkward power imbalance that fans can’t stop talking about.
Everett, 29, knocked out Ozzy Martin in Las Vegas on Tuesday. He confirmed to TMZ Sports he worked the day of the fight and the day after, stating, 'I'm at work right now, actually.'
It’s either the ultimate hustle or a PR stunt that’s backfiring into pure spectacle. Either way, Sal Everett is keeping the receipts—and the fridge-stocking duties.
The internet is losing its collective mind over the fact that Sal Everett, the newest signed fighter in the UFC, has no intention of handing in his resignation letter. While most athletes would immediately pivot to full-time training upon securing a contract, the 29-year-old runner for Dana White is doubling down on his day job. Everett revealed to TMZ Sports that he was literally on the clock when he spoke to reporters, insisting he worked the day of his victory and the day after.
"I've been working. I worked yesterday and I worked today. I'm at work right now, actually," Everett stated, crushing the assumption that he’d be serving his two weeks notice after earning a contract on Tuesday's Contender Series.
The drama stems from the sheer absurdity of the situation: the same man who runs personal errands for the UFC CEO, including stocking White’s fridge, just knocked out Ozzy Martin in Las Vegas. Everett’s duties have historically included fetching items for White, a task he claims he doesn’t resent. "I love my job, so it's not like I was working so hard to get away from stocking Dana's fridge," the 5-0 fighter explained.
He framed his continued employment as a moral stance rather than a financial necessity, telling TMZ, "Dana's been blessing me in this position, and yeah, some days are stressful, but it's work, you know? I'm a working man, I'm not lazy. I like to be here." Dana White’s reaction to the knockout was nothing short of euphoric, but it also highlighted the strange familial dynamic between the boss and the employee-turned-fighter.
After Everett secured the win, White presented him with the contract, remarking, "Sal, we've had title fights in here, and I don't know if it's ever been as loud as it was tonight." White went on to praise Everett’s character over his fighting ability, saying, "Everybody at the UFC loves you, you're a great kid. Forget fighting and the contract, you're a great human being. This could not happen to a better person.
You have worked your way from the bottom up." The CEO even admitted the situation was "kind of weird" because Everett was already part of the organization, before welcoming him to the "UFC" as a fighter. For tea-rex readers, the real story isn’t the fight—it’s the optics. By refusing to quit, Everett is either displaying an unparalleled level of loyalty and humility, or he’s engaging in a bizarre branding exercise that keeps him in the headlines long after the octagon lights dim.
While White called him a "great kid" who worked his way up, the image of a signed fighter still fetching groceries for his employer is fueling endless speculation. Is this the most grounded athlete in MMA history, or is there a deeper strategy at play? One thing is certain: Dana White won’t have to post a job listing for a new runner anytime soon, and the drama surrounding Sal Everett’s dual life is just getting started.
